The Worth County School Board, at its regular meeting Wednesday, voted to accept the retirements of Selina O’Connor and Bill Staton. O’Connor has been a longtime teacher at the school and Staton has been a longtime bus driver.
The board voted unanimously to place a no tax increase bond issue on the April ballot to fund capital project needs. Projects include connecting the Ag Building to the High School Hallway, install LED lighting at the softball field, elementary school, and building exteriors, improving heating and cooling systems, improving visitor seating at the football field, repair or replace roofs and gutters, renovate building entrances, acquire buses, and to the extent funds are available, complete other repairs and improvements for the District. Passage requires a four sevenths majority.
The Pre-K has seven students applied to enroll in the new preschool that will start in January 2024.
The board approved the curriculum that will be used in the new preschool. They approved Project Construct, based in Columbia (MO). Project Construct is based on the theory that learners obtain knowledge through interactions with their physical and social environments. The curriculum assumes that learning is due to the reorganization of ways of thinking, of building upon the “known,” than to development alone or the accumulation of facts alone.
The audit was presented to the board by Westbrook for the 2022-23 school year. The audit found the district in compliance and in good financial standing.
The Career Technical Education Program was rated “Excellent.” Strengths listed include the fact that windows in the shop and boiler room were replaced. New heating was installed in the shops and boiler room. Many opportunities exist for students to take courses that prepare them for careers in technical fields. Students enroll in CTE courses at Northwest Tech School. They are able to use grant funds to purchase equipment and technology.
Concerns include the fact that district opportunities for students to take all the course work needed are limited by the high school daily schedule. Recommendations include continuing to seek input from students, parents, and businesses as to skillsets needed, increase the number of students participating in the credentialing assessments, and seeking opportunities to collaborate with local businesses for internships.
There are 140 students enrolled in CTE classes, including 49 in Ag, 33 in business, and 46 in FACS. Nine attend the Northwest Technical School.
A recent survey was done of community members. There was a favorable view of the types and quantity of classes offered. Respondents stated that a partnership with local employers would be beneficial. High School teachers would like to see additional courses offered and would like to examine the schedule and staffing of personnel to try and enhance the number of courses offered.
The school has reviewed the numbers of students finding jobs in their trade area or continuing their education in their trade area. Since 2015, 208 out of 231 students have found jobs in their trade area or continued their education in their trade area. The numbers have been between 81.5% and 96% each year.
The board set filing dates for the upcoming election for December 5th to 26th. Persons wishing to file may do so at the District Board Secretary’s office during regular business hours between 8 am to 4 pm. The district office will be closed and no filings will be accepted between December 22nd and 25th. The office will be open for last-minute filings on December 26th from 3 pm to 5 pm. No filings will be accepted when the office is closed due to inclement weather.
Two seats are up for election. The election will be on April 2nd, 2024. Candidates can call (816) 351-3539 during a closure to make an appointment to file.
The board set student admissions for ballgames for the school year. Admission to home events will be $3. Admission to MSHSAA events is determined by MSHSAA. Student transportation to road games will range from $2 to $5 depending on the location. This is in addition to the admission that the host site charges. These prices do not apply to students actively participating in the event such as athletes, cheerleaders, and band members.
The board renewed the insurance policy with MUSIC. They raised their rate for the first time in 20 years by 33%. This will mean $17,500 in additional costs for the school. The total rate for 2024 will be $69,070. The company cited the rise of property claims for 2023. For example, here was hail damage to the North Nodaway school, and a light fell onto the Worth County football field, forcing the school to install new lighting.
The board voted to declare 17 iPad2’s as surplus property. Bids are due to the school no later than 3:00 pm on December 1, 2023. For more information, call Emiley Maudlin at (660) 564-3389. Items are sold as is.
The board voted to reimburse Jamie Degase $430 for PAT training.
Elementary Principal Chuck Borey reported on stats for the elementary. Participation in parent/teacher conferences was anywhere from 91% to 100%. Attendance for October ranged from 93.85% to 98.34%. There were 11 office referrals for the first quarter, down from 15 for the same period last year.
A representative from the Extension Council worked with 5th graders on how to mix and measure wet and dry ingredients. They made dill, garlic, cumin, onion, and a mixed dip. The Worth County Extension donated hygiene products and clothing for school as part of the MU Extension’s Annual Day of Service.
For Red Ribbon Week, Mrs. Rush’s Kindergarten had the most students participate in K-3. The fifth grade had the most students participate from 4-6. Students received bracelets, Red Ribbon week themed goodies, and were able to participate in the health choice boards.
Bracket drawing winners were Layne Pickering, Mack Maudlin, Madison Collins, J.C. Hawk, Grayson Mullock, Renae Gladstone, and Brecklyn Rush. Teacher Red Ribbon winners were Jamie Degase and Ashton Lewis.
Mrs. Rush’s Kindergarten won the Compliment Coin contest with 39, followed by Mrs. Lischer’s 1st grade (35), Mrs. Stull’s 1st grade (33), and Mrs. Schlapia’s Kindergarten (30). Winning prizes were the Kindergarten, 1st grade, and fifth grade.
Activities Director Cree Beverlin reported that there are 16 boys and nine girls out for varsity basketball this year. FCA has been seeing an increase in their attendance numbers. They played glow in the dark volleyball, and will be joined by the area leader. A group of FBLA members will be attending a workshop on coding.
The school, as of October 31st, had revenues of $387,050 for the General Fund and $529,701 for expenditures and a balance of $2,022,702. The Teacher Fund had $666,023 in revenues and $584,756 for expenditures and a balance of $81,267. The Debt Service Fund had revenues of $2,024 and a balance of $194,463. The Capital Improvement Fund showed a beginning balance of $717,674, revenues of $155,883, expenses of $277,610 and an ending balance of $595,946.
Balance for all four funds at the start of the year was $3,075,466. As of October 31st, the balance for all four funds was $2,894,378.
Revenues are up $226,810 from the same period last year. Expenses were up $114.922. Revenues are up due to Pre-K grants. Expenditures are increased because of capital projects completed in summer 2023.
The board increased sub bus driver pay from $62.60 to $70 per day. The change will increase the current budget by approximately $800.
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